7 easy ways to become a fitness model -- for your kids
He's a celebrity fitness trainer to Kate Upton, and Jennifer Lopez wrote the foreword to his new book, "Ultimate Family Wellness: The No-Excuses Program For Diet, Fitness and Lifelong Health."
And David Kirsch is also a single parent of twin 6 1/2-year-old girls.
His book doesn't just speak to stressed-out, super-busy single parents juggling family and career but to all of the multi-hyphenate, time-stretched among us who swear there aren't enough hours, minutes or even seconds in the day to workout.
The book includes Kirsch's 5-5-5-plan, which includes five quick exercises (many for just adults), that he says can help you lose as many as five pounds in five days when also combined with family-friendly recipes that take less than 15 minutes to prepare. There's also guidance about exercising with your kids, fueling motivation and behavior modification.
David Kirsch’s book is “Ultimate Family Wellness: The No-Excuses Program For Diet, Fitness and Lifelong Health.” He’s the father of two bouncing daughters, left.
David Kirsh's book "Ultimate Family Wellness: The No-Excuses Program For Diet, Fitness and Lifelong Health." His daughters to the left. (David Kirsch)
Perhaps surprisingly, Kirsch said that having twin girls has made him less hardcore when it comes to always having to eat perfectly. He doesn't use the words "diet" and "fat" around his daughters but instead makes them aware of better nutrition and fitness choices. "We live in a society where healthy choices aren't usually the most popular choices," says Kirsch, adding it's important to make family fitness and nutrition "fun, fresh, inspiring and engaging."
Here are seven family-friendly tips from Kirsch:
- Clean out your pantry, and get rid of the junk food.
- If it's not there, you can't eat it.
- Get everyone new exercise apparel
- Fancy new kicks, and clothes, will get everyone excited.
- Make family movement a daily ritual.
- Walk to school or to the grocery store; walk the dog together; or if you're stuck inside, do something fun like a dance party. He likes the website gonoodle.com to help get kids moving.
- Cook together
- Cook as a family to start building healthful habits.
- Limit screen time
- We know it's hard. But limit the amount of time spent sitting and staring at smart devices (iPhones, iPads, computers, etc.).
- Have cheat days
- Have mindful family cheat days or cheat meals — go out as a family to get gelatos or have a family pizza night, and make sure everyone knows this is a special treat.
- Lead a healthy life by example.
- There's no greater way to teach kids than by example, Kirsch said. Teach your children to love and respect and take care of the bodies they were born with.
(Katie Falkenberg / For the Times)
Kids unisex Adidas Originals Stan Smith shoes.
Kids unisex Adidas Originals Stan Smith shoes. (Kathy M.Y. Pyon / Los Angeles Times)
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Elizabeth makes her first omelette as part of the Seed to Skillet program at Taking the Reins.
(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
(Godong / UIG via Getty Images)
This is a vegan pizza, so is that half-cheating? (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Choose healthful fruits and vegetables. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)
